Social Network Analysis of an Agricultural Center: Stakeholders and the Transfer of Information.

We conducted a social network analysis (SNA) of Central States Center for Agricultural Safety and Health (CS-CASH) to describe stakeholder networks for agricultural Research and Education/Outreach. This was a two-phase study. First, the Leader Survey went to N = 9 CS-CASH leaders to identify their key stakeholders. Next, the Stakeholder Survey was sent to these stakeholders to learn about their stakeholder collaborations, interactions, and communications. The Pajek Network Analysis measured SNA metrics for density, centrality, betweenness, k-core, and created the sociograms. The Leader Survey had a 100% response rate and generated N = 337 unique stakeholders. Most were researchers (44%) and educators (20%), with a primary sphere of influence in Nebraska-only (40%). The Stakeholder Survey had 46% response rate, and generated N = 199 names in the extended Education/Outreach network and N = 140 in the extended Research network. Stakeholders in both networks were employed mostly in universities/schools (61%) or non-profits (15%). Both networks had a single main component and 7/9 CS-CASH leaders had central roles in these components. CS-CASH is well positioned in the extended stakeholder networks based on SNA metrics. Stakeholders utilize CS-CASH resources, and they seek and exchange information with its leaders. To strengthen knowledge transfer, it will be useful to build on connections with stakeholders outside academia.

Innovation diffusion in an agricultural health center: moving information to practice.

This article presents a case study logic model-approach of the Central States Center for Agricultural Safety and Health (CS-CASH) - one of eleven federally funded Agricultural Health and Safety Centers in the United States. We used social network analysis (SNA) to examine how information generated from CS-CASH regarding respiratory personal protective equipment (PPE) use is disseminated across their network of key stakeholders and ultimately to end-users (i.e., agricultural workers). We developed a 22-item instrument based on SNA principles, and administered it to N = 49 CS CASH members and N = 158 external stakeholders. Questions focused on demographics, work setting, roles, and SNA concepts for betweenness, centrality, reciprocity, and density. Findings showed that CS-CASH has an extensive information sharing network for respiratory PPE, and there is high reciprocity with vigorous bi-directional communication; however, the network is fragmented and lacks diversity in key stakeholder roles needed to broadly diffuse information into practice. Implications are to (1) create new connections with a more diverse group of external stakeholders beyond academic and non-profit organizations, and (2) leverage primary network gatekeepers to build connections within the respiratory PPE group and with gatekeepers in the unconnected networks, thereby maximizing diffusion of information across the overall CS-CASH network. The case study has implications for evaluators and project directors looking to improve outcomes for enhanced use of respiratory PPE among end-users by working through external stakeholders who can enhance the information flow for dissemination and diffusion to practice.

Evaluating Effective Leadership and Governance in a Midwestern Agricultural Safety and Health Coalition.

Agricultural Centers are a coalition of organizations and individual members with a common purpose: to improve the health and safety of the agricultural community. Successful leadership and governance are essential in accomplishing these goals. This article examined the effectiveness of a midwestern Agricultural Health and Safety Center (Ag Center) leadership and governance structure. The Internal Coalition Outcomes Hierarchy (ICOH) framework and the Internal Coalition Effectiveness (ICE©) instrument were used, with field visit interviews conducted to gain further insight. Combined comparative findings from both research methods showed that scores in each of the categories increased. Adjustments led to stronger collaborative leadership, vital to successful population health improvement programs. This study showcases coalition qualities in a broader environment, capturing a clearer depiction of leadership and member interaction. Field visit interviews confirmed that this midwestern Ag Center continued to have strong levels of effectiveness in each of the conceptual constructs of a coalition.

Social Networking in an Agricultural Research Center: Using Data to Enhance Outcomes.

The purpose of this article is to present a case study of one midwestern Agricultural Center (Ag Center) that used social network analysis (SNA) to (1) evaluate its collaborations with extramural stakeholders and (2) strategically plan for extending outreach for goal achievement. An evaluation team developed a data collection instrument based on SNA principles. It was administered to the Ag Center's intramural stakeholders (N = 9), who were asked to identify the key extramural stakeholders with whom they had collaborated within the previous 12 months. Additional questions about each extramural stakeholder helped to categorize them according to SNA network measures for degree of centrality, betweenness centrality, and closeness centrality. Findings showed the Ag Center had N = 305 extramural stakeholders. Most of these were other researchers and did not represent the diverse group of stakeholders that the Ag Center had targeted for engagement. Only a few of the intramural stakeholders had national or international connections. Findings were used to improve and diversify connections in order to leverage the Ag Center's expertise and ability to translate research into new best practices and policies. The SNA case study has implications for other evaluators and project directors looking for methodologies that can monitor networks in large science consortia and help leaders plan for translating research into practice and policies by networking with those who can influence such change.

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices for Respiratory and Hearing Health among Midwestern Farmers.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices for hearing and respiratory health/safety among farmers in seven Midwestern states served by a federally funded Agricultural Center. Findings provided a baseline to longitudinally track the Agricultural Center's program outcomes and to design community education to improve safety and health among farmers. DESIGN AND SAMPLE: This was a cross-sectional study using a 30 item mailed survey to describe farmers' operations, demographics, health conditions, related information sources, and knowledge/attitude/practices for personal protective equipment (PPE) (i.e., ear plugs/muffs and dust masks/respirators). MEASURES: Frequencies and percentages were calculated for each item and according to responses from younger versus older farmers. The unit of study was farm operators (N = 280) randomly selected from a publicly available database of corn/soybean and hog farmers in seven Midwestern states. RESULTS: Findings revealed important knowledge gaps among respondents regarding (1) hazardous exposure sources; (2) long-term health consequences of noise/dust exposure; (3) proper selection/fitting of PPE. CONCLUSIONS: Public health nurses and primary care providers in rural communities should address specific knowledge gaps in order to enhance farmers' perceived understanding of their susceptibility to hazardous exposures. Increasing farmers' knowledge through preferred venues may help to improve PPE effectiveness.

Children's Agricultural Safety Network: Evaluating Organizational Effectiveness and Impacts.

Coalitions that are effectively organized and led are more likely to achieve their intended program outcomes and impacts, as well as achieve sustainability. External evaluation of the coalition's governance and leadership can help identify strengths and areas for improvement. This article describes the evaluation of the Children's Agricultural Safety Network (CASN)-a national coalition, or network of 45 organizational members. The conceptual framework, Internal Coalition Outcomes Hierarchy, guided the evaluation. We used a mixed-methods approach to answer study's primary objectives from the perspective of CASN members and leaders for (a) organizational effectiveness, (b) network impact, and (c) member benefits. We collected quantitative data using a survey and the Internal Coalition Effectiveness (ICE) instrument. Focused interviews were conducted by phone to gather rich data on examples. Combined findings showed that both members and leaders rated the CASN effective in all construct areas that define successful coalitions. Members feel as invested in CASN success as do leaders. The major impact of CASN has been as a national leader and clearinghouse for childhood safety issues, and the most frequently cited example of impact was the national tractor safety campaign. Members identified the benefits of CASN membership as networking, resource sharing, and opportunities to enhance their knowledge, skills, and practices in the area. Members also valued the national attention that CASN was able to bring to the important issues in childhood agricultural safety. Suggestions for improvement were to focus on more research to improve best practices and strengthen dissemination and implementation science.

Social marketing campaign promoting the use of respiratory protection devices among farmers.

This article describes the formal use of marketing concepts in a systematic approach to influence farmers to voluntarily increase respiratory protective device (RPD) use. The planning process for the project incorporated six key decision or action points, each informed by formative research or health behavior theory. The planning process included developing behavior change strategies based on a 4P model (product, price, place, and promotion). The resulting campaign elements included print and e-mail messages that leveraged motivators related to family and health in order to increase farmers' knowledge about the risks of exposure to dusty environments, four instructional videos related to the primary barriers identified in using RPDs, and a brightly colored storage bag to address barriers to using RPDs related to mask storage. Campaign implementation included a series of e-mails using a bulk e-mail subscription service, use of social media in the form of posting instructional videos on a YouTube channel, and in-person interactions with members of the target audience at farm shows throughout the Central States Center for Agricultural Safety and Health seven-state region. Evaluation of the e-mail campaigns indicated increased knowledge about RPD use and intent to use RPDs in dusty conditions. YouTube analytic data indicated continuing exposure of the instructional videos beyond the life of the campaign. The project demonstrates the efficacy of a planning process that incorporates formative research and clear decision points throughout. This process could be used to plan health behavior change interventions to address other agriculture-related health and safety issues.